How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I first found out about bariatric surgery when my mom had the surgery in November 2001. My initial impressions of it were this is the "easy way out" I was very uneducated.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

My experience with my insurance company was a positive one. My advice is to first call the surgeon's office and find out the date that they send the letter. Then I would call the insurance company until you receive an answer.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

My first visit I was nervous... I was hoping I would feel comfortable with him and I lucked out! I suggest you write down all your questions and feelings and share them with your doctor. If you don't feel comfortable talking to him or her, choose a different doc. This is your life and it will be in their hands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided for myself that this was the way to go for me. I was tired of being unhealthy and always feeling like a failure because I couldn't loss weight on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew that I wanted to have the gastric bypass... it being the "gold standard" operation. This was also the surgery my mom had. Originally I wanted to have it lap, but after being examined by the surgeon, he told me I would have to have it open for safety reasons.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I had many fears of dying during surgery. My suggestion is to pray alot. As my mother told me, "Give it to God." I came to the decision that whatever happened during surgery would happen; I would have no control over it. Whatever God wanted for me is what would happen.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My family and friends were and continue to be very supportive. I don't think I would have made the same decision if I did not have their support.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

I was in the hospital a total of 4 days, including the day of surgery. The most important thing to me was having my family and friends there. With out them, it feels very lonely. For the most part, the nurses and techs were nice, with a few exceptions.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

So far I have not had any complications.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I delt with anxiety by praying and preparing.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I had nauseau at first, but that quickly went away. Expect to be tired very quickly. Take frequent naps. Make sure you drink the protein drink as often as possible. The protein drink will stay with you the longest and give you the most energy.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I only traveled about 30 minutes.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

So far, I have not found any food that I have a problem with.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

Slowly I am getting energy. During the first few weeks, I would get tired very quickly.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take a B complex once daily; 2 multi-vitamins plus iron once daily; and 2 500mg calcium twice daily.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I had nausia for 5 days after surgery. Then it went away. I have not vomited at all. The only sleep disturbance has been learning to sleep on my back!

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The worst part was the muscle pain -- not being able to move or adjust once laying in bed. And needing to ask for help to get out of bed and go to the bathroom.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

My scar is very nice... very straight and thin. This is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am just over 1 month post-op and I have had a 2 week plateau during week 3 and 4. It was frustrating, but not too bad.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet. I haven't lost enought weight for it to be noticable.